Golden State Warriors: 5 Things Fans Are Thankful for This Holiday Season

Thanksgiving may have come and passed, but the period of self-reflection often bleeds into the month of December. It is during the upcoming holiday season when we look back and appreciate and find value in all that has happened to and for us during the past year.

Athletes, sports franchises and fan bases are no different. All those involved in the professional sports industry give themselves moments of introspection, to acknowledge all that they appreciate in their lives.

In the world of the NBA, there are many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is the fact that there is a season at all. After months of labor deliberation and tribulation, there will be an NBA season—66 games worth of compressed excitement, beginning December 25.

The Golden State Warriors are eager to start their 2011-2012 campaign. Flanked by a new head coach, Mark Jackson, the Warriors are excited for the promise of this upcoming season, with visions of the postseason dancing in their heads. Moreover, one of the more loyal fan bases in sports is amped about all the potential their team possesses. Despite one playoff appearance since 1993, Warriors fans are some of the most loyal and energetic in the NBA. Now they have a season to look forward to.

Here are five things Golden State Warriors fans are thankful for this year.

New Ownership

For a better part of the previous two decades, the Golden State Warriors were under the uniquely bumbling ownership of Chris Cohan. His leadership began in 1995 until July of 2010. Sadly, Cohan’s tenure could be nominated for one of the worst in NBA history.

Under his tenure, the Warriors managed a dismal two winning seasons. They made the playoffs just once, managing the dubious record of 13 straight years of missing the postseason.

Furthermore, his mismanagement of the team led to a turnstile of players, coaches and personnel, which didn't lead to happy fans. In his 15 years as owner, Golden State had 10 different head coaches. On the court, the Warriors stunk it up to the tune of one All-Star representative in that time span (Latrell Sprewell—1995, 1997.)

Needless to say, the Warriors faithful was pretty relieved to see the reigns passed on to new owners last year. Led by Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber, the new ownership has methodically begun execution of broader vision for the team. They have an incredible yearning to return the Warriors to glory, so fans are abuzz about the direction the team is headed. Lacob and Gruber want to be involved in the revolution of a Golden State franchise that has seen better days before. And they, with their masterful business acumen, are working toward a revitalized organization.

Starting last offseason, the Warriors brought in Hall of Famer Jerry West as a special advisor. They hired Mark Jackson as the new Warriors coach. They’re in the free-agent market, ready to acquire a big man they so desperately have needed, willing to let go of either Monta Ellis or Stephen Curry to do so. There have been talks of building an arena in San Francisco in the near future.

All this points to a better franchise with a better common goal: to get back to winning. And Warriors fans can’t be more excited about that.

Chris Paul Trade to Los Angeles Lakers Vetoed...for Now

As evidence of the new management’s incredible desire to put the Warriors back on the map of relevance, Gruber and Lacob have been highly active all preseason in attempting a superstar upgrade.

Golden State were fervently in talks to land a big man—either Tyson Chandler, Nene or DeAndre Jordan. Chandler has signed on with the New York Knicks, but that hasn’t kept the Warriors out of the trade rumor mill.

There has been whispers around the NBA that the Warriors are now still in the hunt for current New Orleans Hornet, Chris Paul. After the division rival Los Angeles Lakers were denied the opportunity to trade for Paul, the Warriors have been said to retain their interest in the All-Star point guard. This would be a monster acquisition, which would result in the Warriors cutting ties with their electrifying scoring guard, Monta Ellis.

But this out-of-the-box mindset and vision is what fans have sought for so long from their front office. Golden State has had very few deals fall into their favor over the past several seasons, and any imaginative intention to obtain a NBA superstar would be welcomed by a starving fan base. The fact the Warriors are even a player in the Chris Paul sweepstakes is at the very least admirable and impressive. Especially considering the lack of appeal the downtrodden franchise has experienced for numerous years.

Ultimately, the applause from the audience this preseason is for the simple notion that the Warriors are trying to build a better team, one that is worth watching night in and night out. Moreover, if the final result is more wins, then that’s all that really matters.

Oh, and if the Warriors do land Paul, at the expense of the Lakers—even better.

Steph Curry/Monta Ellis...for Now

For the time being, the phenomenal backcourt of Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis is intact. And for the time being, Warriors fans are modestly okay with that. Because, if the season started tonight, Golden State fans would at least get to see one of the most exciting and entertaining young backcourt tandems in the league.

With Curry running the show and Ellis dropping Js, the Warriors have introduced their own version of Showtime by the Bay. For the past two seasons with the dynamic duo, Golden State has finished in the top seven in team scoring. Each night it’s a wonder which one of either Curry or Ellis will have a monster game. Or, in fact, both could.

Having two electrifying young scoring guards certainly makes it thrilling for fans.

One night, Ellis can put up 40 points and Curry will have 18 points and 12 assists. The next night Curry could pour in 35 points and Ellis will have 20 point and the game-winning jumper. It’s one of the most fun components of a young team: two blossoming superstars to root for each game. Without either of them, the Warriors would assuredly be less attractive to fans and harder to watch during their numerous losing seasons over the past decade.

And until Golden State can land a big man, fans will thoroughly enjoy watching the high-scoring heroics of Curry and Ellis.

Old-School Uniforms

One thing that Warriors fans cannot get enough of, year in and year out, is the throwback uniforms from the '70s era. To be sure, when the Warriors are bedecked in the lemon-and-royal unis with “The City” strapped across their chests, it’s a pretty awesome aesthetic, and one of the most popular purchases throughout the arena.

In fact, because fans clamor over the throwback jerseys in stores and at the games, the Warriors decided to alter their team’s uniforms last season. Now, the Warriors have a similarly designed outfit that harkens back to the days of Rick Barry and the 1975 NBA championship team.

No doubt, Warriors fans love, love, love the juxtaposition of their spritely young Warriors squad donning the old school uniforms. Now, if only the Warriors could win like their forefathers before them did.

Chris Mullin

Speaking of the old school elder statesmen, Chris Mullin is one of the most revered icons in Golden State Warriors history. The five-time All-Star forward was one of the most crafty, steady and lethal players in his era, leveraging his all-around skill and acumen to become one of the 12 members of the original Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics.

Needless to say, Mullin was certainly one of the greats of the game.

Over the past several seasons, Warriors fans have not had much to cheer about in regard to player accolades. The last All-Star representative was Latrell Sprewell, back in 1997. Aside from that, the Warriors have produced a couple of Most Improved Player of the Year winners (Gilbert Arenas, Monta Ellis), but not much else.

Last year, however, the Warriors were happy to announce that their beloved Mullin was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Additionally, adding to his accolades, this past February, Mullin entered the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. To say that Mullin has had a good year would be an understatement.

To honor and recognize all that he has done on the court with Golden State Warriors organization, the team announced that in January, they will retire his number 17 jersey.

If anything, Mullin gives Warriors fans a superstar to cheer about. And over the course of the past several years—since his retirement from basketball, probably—these fans have been only left to pine for the days of Run TMC, the last successful era in franchise history. This season, fans hope to have more to cheer about; but at least they’ll have the old school Mullin to be thankful for.